> >>> if you're a start-up maker of home entertainment=20 appliances
> >>> or set-top boxes, then you have only one way to go: Linux.=20
> >>
> >> Linux is not the only game in town.
> >
> > I agree.  Although I run Linux, I'm not certain that it is the best
> >  choice for a commercial product.  Some commercial applications
> > might have problems with the GPL.

> > There are several BSD flavors.  These have the advantage of the BSD
> >  license: "you can do anything you want with this software except
> > claim that you wrote it" :-)
> >
> 
> Advantage to M$ perhaps... I know some like the BSD license, but I'm
> not sure I do. I'm all for OpenSource etc, but making my code open
> source for others to proft from & never give anything back makes me
> think twice.

Once upon a time, most people released software as public domain.
Adding a "give us credit for creating this" requirement seemed quite
reasonable.  I think of the BSD license as the first tiny baby step
towards the GPL.  Sadly, this license does allow "software hoarders" to
take code and make a closed source product from it.  And sadly, some
people think this is a good thing.

Some people prefer the GPL because it allows them to release code without
allowing others to take it and make a closed source product from it
and give nothing back.

But do not confuse the software with the license.  I run BSD because the
*software* is superior, not because of the license.  IANAL, but I see no
reason why one couldn't take the BSD code and add the GPL to it.  Then
you would have the best code *and* the best license.
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